Epilepsy Toronto brings their signature fundraising event, Scotiabank BuskerFest, back to Toronto.  In partnership with the Downtown Yonge BIA, they have announced an outstanding roster of international and Canadian acts, both new and returning, for the 15th edition of the festival. Scotiabank BuskerFest runs Thursday, August 21 to Sunday, August 24 throughout the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood, from Queen to College Streets and surrounding areas (including Trinity Square Park and Yonge-Dundas Square).

How does it work for the artists? 

Buskers retain proceeds from “the hat” passed after their performances except for shows on the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square: for the first time ever, each performing act will be doing one performance on this stage over the course of the weekend, and all proceeds will go to Epilepsy Toronto!

Who will be in town?

Joining the previously announced FlameOz (returning) and Reuben DotDotDot (new) from Australia, and NoMaD Cirquel (new) from Austria and Les Frères Taquins (new) from Belgium, are several outstanding international acts, including:

From Australia: Bendy Em (returning), a pint-sized former gymnast with a wicked wit who bends and contorts her body into freakily mind-boggling positions.
From Ireland: Jack Wise (returning), a Molotov cocktail of comedy and magic – including swallowing a real 24″ steel sword!
From Japan: Ikeda Yosuke (new), a unique style of performance blending mime with graphic and acoustic arts – the lyrics of a song appear in many different ways with the music.
From Spain: Ale Risorio (new), an eccentric, absurd clown with a bag full of unusual and unexpected props.
From the United Kingdom: Billy Kidd (returning), one of the few female magicians in the world who hosts Discovery Channel‘s Breaking Magic: the Magic of Science. She reads people’s minds, turns paper to money and produces the most unsuspecting things out of nowhere.

Among the various talented, returning local performers from the GTA are:
Hercinia Arts Collective entertain with their hilarious act “Money Fish” – synchronized swimmers out of water and looking for audiences everywhere.
Mental Floss Side Show, a vaudevillian duo that brings exhibits from the five corners of the globe – all with a little dash of snake oil.
The Silent Violinist combines balloons and mime dressed in her visually stunning balloon dress with a gigantic wing spread.
Max T. Oz, a sleight-of-hand magic favourite who has been at each and every festival since its inception;
And, of course, the veteran festival busker Silver Elvis, a mechanical metal man who moves for money, honey – “thank you, thank you very much.”

Silver Elvis Photo: Buskerfest

Also, new from Quebec:
Chasseurs de Rêves: a tribe of larger-than-life stilt puppets shines in colours and movements, with an elegant bird and majestic elephant.
CiRcO LoCo: Argentine tango dancers, circus artists, knife thrower and tribal belly dancing make for an awesome concoction of circus, stunts & mystery!
Les Vitamines: a colourful, high-energy duo that dazzles with acrobatic feats punctuated by improvised acts during which the public is invited to join in the fun.

Photo: Buskerfest

Admission to Scotiabank BuskerFest is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping more than 40,000 Torontonians with epilepsy, and their families, through counselling, employment support, advocacy and education.

Between you and I, I am not a fan of clowns… But I do enjoy a good magic or circus performance. I think there is plenty to choose from at this year’s Scotiabank BuskerFest. Bring down the family, and make it a weekend of pure fun… all for a great cause!